The Teaching and Learning Technologies department at the University of Kansas Medical Center post updates, tips, and other educational technology information.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Blackboard FAQ: Test Timer

In many Blackboard tests, a timer is set by the instructor. Here is some additional information regarding the timer used in Blackboard.

This is what it looks like:

The timer resides at the top of your browser window as you complete the test. Even if you scroll down the test, the timer remains at the top of the browser window. You can minimize the timer, but it is not suggested. Here is what that looks like:

Notice, you do not see the timer. Nor will you see the half time, 5 minute, 1 minute, and 30 seconds left warnings.

The timer also allows you to expand the Question Completion Status so you can see your progress on questions. All questions that have been submitted and saved are greyed-out with a little save icon. Note: You can navigate directly to questions by clicking on these question icons (if permitted by the instructor).

Notice in the image above, you receive a message when there is less than five minutes left in the test. All messages regarding time left are display as text. There are no pop-up windows or audio warnings regarding time left in the test. The progress bar changes colors to yellow when there is 1 minute left and then to red when there is 30 seconds left in the test.

If the instructor has set the test to auto-submit, then the test will close at the end of time saving only the test questions you have completed.